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Th e 

LITTLE WOMAN 
IN THE SPOUT 


BY 

MARY AGNES BYRNE 

Author of "Roy and RosYRi>CKS,” etc. 


ILLUSTRATED 


Akron, Ohio 

THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY 

New York igo2 Chicago 


►<><KK><>00<><KK>0<><KH><>0<><><><><K><>CK><><>0<KH><KK><KK^^ 




THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 
Two Cop»E8 Received 


JUl. 9 1902 

B Or,n/D.QHr ENTRY 

No. 


2> *1 / 3 t> 

COPY B. 


Copyright, 1902, 

BY 


• # 


• • • 

( ^ 
< C • 


1 l^UKLlbHlNC 

< e ( 

< < ( c « c 


COMPANY 


MADE BY 

THE WERNER COMPANY 
AKRON, OHIO 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


They Returned, Looking Like ‘‘forest nymphs” Frontispiece 


^‘'A Breastpin, I Declare!” 47 

“Oh, Mrs. Rockwood, is It You?” 55 

“Can I Choose Anyone I Want?” . . . . . . . . 81'^ 







THE LITTLE WOMAN IN THE SPOUT 


CHAPTER I. 

The Little Woman 



^OWN the street came two little maids. 
Edie’s pink gingham sunbonnet hang- 
ing down her back, its flight toward 
the earth hindered by the strings 
securely tied beneath her chin, while 
Maude’s buff sunshade was converted 
into a basket and hung on her arm, o’erflowing with 
wild flowers. 

wonder how the Little Woman is to-day,” said 
Maude anxiously. 

^^Do hope she wasn’t washed out by the flood,” 
returned Edie. 

They hopped into the gutter and peered into the 
square opening of a wooden spout which led from a yard 
close b}^ This yard was enclosed by a high wall, a door- 
like gate opening into it just above the spout. The girls 
would have been very indignant had they heard anyone 

( 7 ) 


8 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


call it by so plebeian a name as a spout ; they had acci- 
dentally discovered it one day w^hen making a voyage 
down the gutter and to them it was the Little Woman’s 
house. To be sure they had never seen the Little 
Woman, but their faith in her was strong, strengthened 
by the fact that whatever prized article they placed in- 
side her house — a favorite paper doll, a candy toy, or 
anything else they thought she might fancy — would on 
their next visit be found missing, their little friend hav- 
ing of course removed it to the inner rooms of her house. 

Many happy hours were spent there, and I am sure 
Columbus never derived so much pleasure over his great 
discovery as they did over theirs in the gutter. But 
then it was an ideal gutter, not one of the common kind, 
but a regular old-fashioned one running along the quiet 
street of a dear old country town, its cobblestones white 
from the oft recurring storms which brought a stream of 
seething water down the steep hill to the waiting river 
below. Only a week previous an unusually heavy freshet 
had swollen the stream to a thing of foaming madness 
encroaching on the sidewalk as though vexed at its firm- 
ness in spite of the water’s onslaught before which the 
catnip-weeds and the grasses, poor weaker things, bowed 
and bent to the ground. 

Great had been our friends’ anxiety for the safety of 
the Little Woman during this time and one rainy day 
they obtained permission to sally forth with storm cloaks. 


The Little Woman 


9 


and rubber shoes and a large umbrella, on a tour of 
investigation. 

Maybe she is safe after all,’^ said Edie hopefully. 
The welcome maybe” was eagerl}^ accepted by the 
small folks, as it sometimes is by larger, and it was 
changed into conviction when Maude stooped venture- 
somely over the sidewalk, and, holding the handle of the 
umbrella with one hand, plunged the other into the water 
and feeling around cried rapturously: ‘^OEdie the Little 
Woman’s house is not gone, it’s here!” Then her friend’s 
small fist was dipped in to make sure, and it was only a 
miracle that kept the monster umbrella, with the two 
beaming urchins clinging to it, from sailing away all three 
together. 

This happened several days ago ; the storm had ceased 
and the sun coming out slaked his thirst leaving the gutter 
dry ; no trace remained of the water’s havoc except the 
grasses which bent beneath a burden of mud. 

The girls now cleared all obstructions to the Little 
House and found it a scene of desolation, with stones, 
and weeds and earth piled halfway to the ceiling. Their 
hearts sank. Surely this betokened the destruction of 
its tiny mistress. It was with a feeling of labor lost that 
they removed the debris. 

While they were thus engaged the gate in the wall 
opened and a little girl came out and stood shyly watch- 
ing them. She was about nine years old, a slight, deli- 


10 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


cate looking creature, with blue eyes and flaxen hair which 
hung in waves below her waist. 

Several minutes elapsed before the girls perceived 
her. Suddenly Edie looked up and cried, Hello.” 
Maude added, ‘‘ Hello there,” the stranger replied, 
‘‘ Hello.” She advanced toward them shyly asking. 
What are you playing?” 

‘^We are cleaning the Little Woman’s house.” 

‘^What Little Woman, where does she live?” 

They explained all about that mysterious personage. 

I would love to see her ! ” exclaimed the new ar- 
rival. 

‘‘But we never can! She always comes out when 
we are away.” 

“ Then how did you find out that she really lives 
there ? ” 

“ Why one day me and Maudie were eating cake 
and Maudie said, ‘ Let’s leave a piece for the Little 
Woman,’ and I said, ‘ But she won’t ever come out for 
it,’ and Maudie said, ‘Let’s try,’ and we put a bit just 
inside her door ” 

“ And the next day it was clear gone, and Edie gave 
her such a lovely chair ! ” 

“ But she never comes when we’re looking, it breaks 
the charm, but now we are afraid she’s gone ! ” 

“Maybe she ohly went on a visit,” suggested the 
newcomer. 


The Little Woman 


11 


‘‘ That’s just what we think, or maybe she’s away 
back in the kitchen wondering why we don’t clean up 
so she can come out ! So let’s get to work ! ” 

“ She must live away, away under the ground ! ” 
remarked the little maid who watched their energetic 
efforts as sleeves were rolled above elbows and chubby 
hands thrust far into the spout. 

‘^Yes indeed,” answered Maude, wiping her heated 
brow with her sunbonnet. we lived as near as 

you we could come out often and watch for her ! ” 

So would I if I could but I can’t be spared to 
run out very often.” 

Why .? ” 

Before she could answer a voice inside the gate called 
sharply “ Lottie, \^oX.-tieP 

“ Good-bye, I must go ! ” and she was gone. 

Her name is Lottie, then.” 

‘‘To think we have been talking all this time and 
don’t know her full nameP'^ 

“Wonder who she is Prestons have no little 
girl.” 

Several days passed before they again saw their 
new acquaintance, but when she appeared at last they 
had good news for her. 

“The Little Woman is all right, she took the posies 
we left for her that night,” cried Maude dancing with 
delight. 


12 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


^^And she’s washing to-day like she used to,” added 
Edie. 

“Why, does she wash too?” 

“Yes indeedy, come and see! Real soapsuds!” 

They pulled her to a seat beside them on the curbstone 
and pointed to a small stream of soapy water that bubbled 
from the spout in rainbow colors very much like the suds 
she had seen only a short while before dancing beneath 
the black palms of old Aunt Chloe, who stood in the 
laundry over the weekly wash. 

“Where have you been for so long?” queried they 
after a while. 

“ Right here, but I couldn’t be spared to run out very 
often. I came for a minute the other day but you were 
not here.” 

“ What time was it ? ” 

“ In the morning about ten o’clock.” 

“Oh, we are hardly ever\\^x^ ’till after school hours.” 

“Do you go to schools, girls ?” she returned, raptur- 
ously. 

“ Of course ! Don’t you ? But then you are a 
visitor ! ” 

‘M’m not a visitor, I’m the bound 

Her listeners were puzzled ; they had heard of slave 
girls, and hired girls, but a bound girl was something 
new. 

“ What is a bound girl ? ” 


The Little Woman 


13 


Why Mrs. Preston took me from the Home to do 
chores around, and run errands and do lots of things.” 

Where are your folks ? ” 

I haven’t any folks ” 

^^Not even a 

She shook her head sorrowfully. 

Mamma took sick and didn’t even know me; she 
kept crying out, ^ Lottie, my little girl, what will become 
of Lottie ! ’ and then she died, I wasn’t even allowed to 
kiss her good-bye, ’cause she had the fever, they said ; I 
know mamma would feel so bad if she knew I was kept 
from kissing her, but she didn’t know, of course. Then 
she was buried beside papa.” 

The tears stood in three pairs of eyes. 

Then you are a norphan ! ” 

^Wes. Have you folks?” 

Fortunately they could both answer in the affirmative. 

Well let’s introduce each other! We heard Claudy 
Preston call you ^ Lottie.’ ” 

^^Yes, my name is Carlotta Lake.” 

Miss Lake this is my dearest friend, Edie Carver,” 
said Maude in regular grown-up style. 

The two indicated bowed formally. 

Mv bosom friend, Maude Burke, Miss Lake,” Edie 
said, doing the honors in turn. Then there was a second 
grave bow of acknowledgment. 

Do you like to live here, Lottie ? ” 


14 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


^‘Yes I love it ’cause it’s so nice with trees and 
flowers. There wasn’t a bit of grass at the Home — 
the yards all brick and the walls so high up. I hated 
to leave some of the girls and I missed them awful at 
first, but now I’ll have 3 ^ou and the Little Woman!” 

“ We will have lovel^^ times together ! If you only 
could go to school ! ” 

“ I’d just love to go 1 Missis said at the Home that 
I would be sent, but seems I can’t be spared. I was to 
start to-day but it’s wash-day and I had to stay and 
help around.” 

She was much interested in their books ; she could 
read ver}^ well in the First Reader, but the price, thirty 
cents for that, and twenty-five for the Speller, seemed 
very high. 

Thirty and ten make fort^^ and ten, fifty, and five, 
fifty-five. I’m afraid they won’t pay out all that for 
me ! ” she said. 

“Well then,” returned Maude, “just sit turn about 
with Edie and me and study out of our books ! ” 

“ That will be lovely ! ” 

“ Then we’ll call for you to-morrow.” 

But the next morning when they peeped in at the 
gate, poor Lottie stood outside the kitchen door at a 
table industriously polishing knives and forks. 

“O Lottie, you will be late,” they cried reproach- 
ful 1\\ 


The Little Woman 


15 


Hastily brushing her hands on her work apron, 
Lottie came to the gate ; her thin little face looked 
downcast. 

“ It’s too bad, they are so busy ironing-day I can’t 
be spared, but call in to-morrow and njaybe I can go 
the7iP 

They were starting away regretfully when suddenly 
Edie exclaimed, pointing toward Lottie, “ Why just look ! 
Don’t Lottie look funny? ” 

‘‘ Why, what is it. Oh yes ! Lottie your beau-ti-ful 
long hair ! ” 

^Wes, it’s cut off,” said Lottie seemingly less con- 
cerned than her friends over the loss of her bright locks 
wEich had been cut in a straight line below her ears. 

^‘Why did you, how could you ? ” 

“ It was Mrs. Preston ; Miss Claudy said it took too 
much of my time combing it.” 

“ Didn’t you cry } ” 

I hated to see it burning in the grate ! ” 

Why when Carrie Moore had her hair cut off after 
she was sick, and it was all falling out and wasn’t near 
as pretty as yours, she cried and cried, and her mamma 
nearly cried too ! ” 

I guess my mamma would feel bad too, she used 
to brush and fix it up. When I first went to the Home 
they were going to cut it off, but the nurse said to wait, 
maybe some of the ladies who came there looking for 


16 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


little ^irls might fancy it. But Miss Claudy said it was 
just /idic’lous for a bound girlT 

/ “ Do you know, I think she is just hateful,” said 
Maude confidentially. 

An old stick ! ” added Edie. 

“We’ll be sure and call for you to-morrow,” they 
cried hurrying ofi' to school. 

But the morrow found Lottie peeling apples and 
seeding raisins. 

“To-day is bake-day, I can’t be spared, but maybe 
I can go to-morrow. Let me see what’s the lesson for 
to-morrow.” 

Alas for to-morrow 1 

“Comp’ny came to-day so I can’t be spared, I must 
stay and help — but maybe to-morrow ” 

“ But to-morrow is Friday ! ” 

“It does seem funny to start Friday,” said Lottie 
earnestly, “ but I do so long to go ! ” 

There were tears in her eyes the next morning when 
she ran to the gate. 

“You see girls to-day is cleaning -day. I’ll have to 
do the dusting and maybe it would be unlucky to start 
FridayP 

“But if you can’t start Monday or Tuesday or 
Wednesday,” said Maude, Or Thursday or Friday,” 
broke in Edie, “ What day can you start ? ” they ended 
in duet. 


The Little Woman 


17 


Lottie looked thoughtful. 

There’s no days left but Saturday and Sunday and 
no school then to start to,” observed one of the girls. 

And if there w^as I’m ’fraid Missis couldn’t spare 
me, for Saturday’s awfully busy and Sunday there’s al- 
ways comp’ny. I’m ’fraid I’ll never get to start.” 

Her friends gazed sympathetically at each other 
and then encouragingly toward their disappointed com- 
panion. 

^^Tell you what, let’s all say a little prayer every night 
that Lottie can be spared,” said Edie. 

“So she can start,” added Maude. 

As though in answer to their prayers the Monday 
morning following found Lottie, with a clean gingham 
apron, and a blue and white checked sunbonnet and a 
beaming countenance, ready to join them. 

“ Isn’t it just too lovely ! ” they chorused. 

They drew closer until buff bonnet and pink bonnet 
and blue checked bonnet touched rims; the voices beneath 
took a grave tone as one whispered, “I prayed just as 
hard, as hard!” 

“So did I!” 

“And I!” 

So it was in this way that Lottie finally started to 
school ; but starting and keeping on were quite different 
things. She loved to go but there were so many tasks 
for her at “the house” — she never called it “home” — 


18 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


that many days and sometimes a whole week elapsed 
while she was marked ‘‘absent.’’ 

“ What else did you get her for if not to help,” she 
overheard Claudia Preston say to her mother, “ and all 
she wants to do is to play with those girls and go to 
school — the idea ! ” 

“ If I only could do like the other girls,” thought 
Lottie wisttully. “ They can go to school every blessed 
day, and don’t need to wash up after meals or — any- 
thing. And if one of them helps her mamma ever so 
little she praises her and calls her her ‘little helper’; 
wish I was someone’s really own girl ’stead of a bound 
girl.” 

On the latter score one or two of the girls at school 
were inclined to elevate their small noses and decline to 
play with Lottie, but her two friends Maude and Edie 
stood by her valiantly, always choosing her to play on 
their side in the games. Recess was Lottie’s only time 
for play ; she was obliged to hurry to and from school ; 
if she lingered she would be met with many reproaches 
at “ the house ” ; besides, she was a faithful little maid 
and tried to be very punctual in return for the precious 
privilege of going to school. 


CHAPTER IT 


The School Picnic 

f HE summer vacation commenced in June, and, 
to celebrate the occasion, the school authori- 
ties and teachers held a picnic each year for 
the scholars at a beautiful grove a mile out 
of town. As the time approached for the 
next picnic, it was the leading subject of the 
, school children’s conversation. 

Lottie was much interested ; she learned that all 
were expected to report at the schoolhouse at an early 
hour on the day designated; each with a basket of lunch; 
the bell was to sound at eight o’clock and the march 
to the grove begin ; there swings were up, hammocks 
hung in shady nooks, and all sorts ot games to be in- 
dulged in until noon, when the tablecloths were to be 
spread on the grass, and the good things taken from 
the baskets. After lunch the fun would begin anew ; at 
six o’clock they were to start homeward after a grand 
chorus in some of the most popular school songs. 

The prospect seemed enchanting to Lottie, more so 
because unlike the majority of her mates, she was not 
sure of being allowed to attend. 


( 19 ) 


20 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


“Mrs. Preston will be sure to let you go,” the girls 
assured her, “people might be kept home from school but 
no one ever was kept from the picnic ! ” 

This encouraged Lottie to speak of it to the “ Missis.” 
Accordingly one evening after carefully drying the dishes 
and re-setting the table for breakfast she went up to the 
front porch where the two ladies were enjoying the cool 
flower perfumed air. 

Mrs. Preston was of medium size ; her broad full face 
conveyed the idea of good nature ; she was in fact amiable 
enough if no one troubled her but she would not interfere 
where doing so might cause friction ; she preferred to let 
things go so that she was not disturbed ; in this way her 
daughter who was as domineering as her parent was yield- 
ing, had been allowed to have her own way ; Claudia’s 
way was the only way that had ever been considered in 
that house ever since she was old enough to assert her- 
self ; she resembled her mother, but her face in repose 
was stolid. 

Lottie thought Claudia was looking “lovely”; she 
wore a light lawn dress ; her dark hair was brushed back 
from her forehead in the latest style copied from a fashion 
magazine. She was bowing and exchanging pleasantries 
with casual acquaintances who went past the house. When 
Lottie appeared a timid little figure at the front door, 
she was smiling very amiably at a 3^oung man who loi- 
tered for a few minutes’ chat ; on his going away she 


The School Picnic 


21 


turned around and saw Lottie ; the smiles gave place to 
a frown. 

“ What do you want here she cried. 

I just want to ask Missis about the picnic,’’ said 
Lottie crossing over to that lady’s side. 

^^What picnic.^ Oh yes, the school picnic. Well 
what about that?” she asked not unkindly. 

“Mayn’t I go please?” 

“The idea,” broke in Claudia, “a whole day’s idleness 
— I thought we would get some good out of you in vaca- 
tion 

Fortunately her attention was distracted by two young 
ladies stopping at the front gate to call her. Lottie took 
advantage of the respite. 

“Oh please let me go, Mrs. Preston ! I needn’t bring 
any lunch, Maude and Edie say they always have plenty 
in their baskets, and I’ll be so ’ndustr’ous to make up.” 

“Well, we’ll see and if you behave yourself until 
then.” Lottie was sent away partly satisfied. 

That was Wednesday ; the great event was set for the 
following Tuesday and Lottie worked hard in the mean- 
time trying to earn the partly promised reward. She 
rubbed the knives and torks until they glistened like silver ; 
she dusted every crevice in each piece of furniture ; she 
worked early and late making special efforts to please but 
nothing was said at the house about the picnic. 

She was permitted to attend school on Monday, that 


22 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


being the closing day of the term. All the other girls 
were jubilant over the morrow discussing dress and lunch 
and play. Lottie listened eagerly but had little to say 
about her plans. 

“ I’ll wear my white and Maude’ll wear her pink 
gingham.” 

It I go I’ll wear my Sunday dress. It’s a lawn 
with blue flowers ; mamma let out the hem last summer 
and it will be plenty long. I took it out ot my box so 
it will be ready — if ” 

^^Be sure and ask Mrs. Preston the very first thing 
this evening and let us know. We ’ll come to the Lit- 
tle Woman’s after supper.” 

Lottie was almost in a fever during supper time ; 
she ate very little ; it seemed there had never before 
been so many dishes to wash ; but at last she was free 
for the short interval before early bedtime' she ran up 
stairs, her heart beating fast. 

She encountered Mrs. Preston on the stairway. 

Mayn’t I go to-morrow ? ” 

‘^To the picnic — well I suppose so — and ” but 

a sharp voice interrupted her ; Claudia had been listening 
at the head of the stairs. 

^^Why mother! you know Kate and Daisy Moore 
are coming to-morrow to spend the day ! ” 

But I think we can spare ” 

“No indeed, we can’t let her go just when she’s 


The School Picnic 


23 


most needed. She can put that nonsense out of her 
head.” 

O Mrs. Preston ! ” That lady was in a quandary ; 
she wished to have the child go, but on the other hand 
Claudia was accustomed to having her own way ; Mrs. 
Preston thought it easier to disappoint Lottie than to in- 
cur a spell ot Claudia in the sulks.” 

‘^You had better stay at home then, Lottie,” she 

said. 

But ” 

Mother, here comes Mrs. Edmunds,” cried Claudia, 
and Mrs. Preston turned away. Lottie was left standing 
disconsolate ; she heard Claudia warning her mother in 
a loud whisper not to give in” to ^‘that charity girl.” 
“Vm not a ‘charity girl,’ Pm a bound girl,” said Lottie 
half aloud, to relieve her pent-up feelings ; somehow the 
latter way of putting her bondage was less offensive 
to her. • 

She hurried up to her own little room, a partitioned- 
olf corner of the attic ; it was lighted by a narrow, 
curtainless window and carpeted with a strip of mat- 
ting ; its furnishing was meagre — a square box which 
contained Lottie’s clothing, a broken-backed chair, and 
a narrow cot. A dress somewhat crumpled hung over 
the footboard ; Lottie gazed at it sorrowfully ; her beauti- 
ful lawn, which she had taken from its narrow quarters 
and shaken and pressed and laid out all ready to be 


24 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


put on in the morning ! Her tears fell fast on its blue 
flowered folds. 

After a while she returned to the kitchen, and sit- 
ting on the steps which led to the back yard with knees 
crossed and one hand supporting her chin, she gazed 
away toward the distant hills through a mist of tears. 
The western sky was a blaze of glory, the river re- 
flected its brilliant tones ; the world appeared singularly 
beautiful, only she was sad. 

‘‘The sunset’s red — that’s the sign of a clear day 
to-morrow,” she murmured to herself. 

At that moment the gate swung inward and two 
bright faces peeped in but the smiles faded as they ap- 
proached their friend. 

“ Why Lottie — Crying ! ” 

“Then you can’t go. I’m so sorry!” 

They crept sympathetically to her side and heard her 
doleful tale with many exclamations. 

“ Isn’t it too mean ! ” 

“ Hateful old thing ! ” 

“ Lottie — Lottie — ” cried an angry voice and its 
owner coming hastily to the door had no doubt heard 
some of the children’s complimentary epithets. 

“ Go up stairs at once with this pitcher of lemonade. 
You needn’t wait girls, it’s almost Lottie’s bedtime now.” 

She slammed the door to and gave Lottie a push 
toward the table. “Those lazy girls are making you 


The School Picnic 


25 


worse than ever if one could imagine that. Spill the 
lemonade do, and break the glasses,” she continued as 
Lottie stumbled in the dark hallway ; but neither of these 
dire orders was followed, Lottie reached the upper hall in 
safety. 

Since Claudia’s departure the visitors in the parlor 
had been augmented by two young men one of whom 
Lottie recognized as Mr. Rockwood, the principal of the 
school. 

“ Good evening Carlotta. I did not know you lived 
here,” he said when the small waitress entered with her 
heavy tray of lemonade. He took it from her hand and 
passed it around. You will see how dexterous I am. Miss 
Preston,” he rattled on, as Claudia returned to the parlor. 

I am used to this kind of work practising at school festi- 
vals and picnics ! ” 

Claudia gave him a gay reply ; she was all smiles 
now ; anyone but Lottie and a few others who had wit- 
nessed it might have looked in wonder at the sudden 
transformation and ask if this could be the same person of 
a few minutes before. Lottie slipped away to the front 
porch and finding it deserted ventured to sit in a rocking 
chair at the farthest corner. The day had been extremely 
warm but the evening air was delightful, a light breeze 
having risen ; the rose bushes nodded drowsily, filling the 
air with their delicious perfume ; the moon was not yet 
up ; it had grown dark by this time ; the gaslight streamed 


26 


The Little 'Woman in the Spout 


from the open door and windows in broad bands across 
the porch, but Lottie’s chair was in the shadow. 

The piano sounded a dreamy waltz ; some of the 
young people were dancing; Lottie watched their shadows 
on the porch as they circled past the windows ; she lis- 
tened to the merry talk and laughter, the music and the 
humming of insects mingling in a strange and pleasing 
medley, until gradually the remembrance of her disap- 
pointment faded. must be getting to bed,” she mur- 

mured but she did not stir ; a few minutes later she was 
sleeping peacefully. 

She was awakened by Mr. Rockwood’s voice. Why 
Carlotta little girl, I did not see you ! I was going to 
carry you chair and all into the parlor ! ” he exclaimed. 

She jumped up, surprised. I fell asleep ! ” 

^‘Asleep lazy child, and here am I wide awake and 
have to be up at six in the morning ! But I declare after 
all you are a sensible girl to get plenty of rest before our 
picnic.” 

But I’m not going,” returned Lottie in a heartbroken 

tone. 

‘^Not going to our picnic! How dare you insult us 
by refusing to go ? ” 

‘‘Indeed, indeed it isn’t my fault!” 

“ Whose fault is it, pray ? ” 

“You see Miss Claudia has comp’ny to-morrow and 
I can’t be spared.” She tried to speak firmly but the 


The School Picnic 


27 


young man detected the tears in her voice. He stood as 
if musing. 

^^Um-m-we’ll have to see about that. Wait here a 
moment.’’ 

Before the child knew what he intended doing he left 
her ; in a short while he returned accompanied by Miss 
Preston. It was too dark to perceive any change in the 
latter’s countenance when Mr. Rockwood led her to where 
Lottie stood half terrified holding nervously onto the back 
of her chair. 

Miss Claudia here is Carlotta who refuses to attend 
my picnic. What punishment does she deserve for her 
insubordination } I brought you out to pronounce sen- 
tence.” 

Lottie stood ready to flee at the expected reprimand 
from Claudia, instead she was astonished when she replied 
with a rippling laugh : Why I leave that to you, and I 
shall coax mamma to let Lottie off for to-morrow.” 

“ Thank you Miss Preston. Carlotta come forward ! ” 
He took Lottie’s cold hand in a kindly clasp. ‘‘You are 
condemned to run off to bed now in order to be at the 
schoolhouse early in the morning to form in procession 
with the other culprits and so proceed to the grove linked 
to a fellow-sufferer by a basket of toothsome edibles. 
Good night, sleep sound little girl ! ” 

Lottie felt rather scared but very happy as she hurried 
away. On reaching her room she took her loved frock 


28 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


in her arms and holding it airily in front of her danced 
merrily around the rickety chair. On going to bed, she 
was almost afraid to sleep for fear of not awaking in 
time ; Mrs. Preston generally called her at half past six, 
but what if she should fail to-morrow. She tried to 
keep awake by repeating her prayers over and over 
but she fell asleep at last murmuring, God bless Mr. 
Rockwood.’’ 

Down stairs when the guests had left Claudia Preston 
told her mother a tale that would have surprised two 
persons had they heard it. ^‘That sly Lottie stayed out 
on the porch to-night to intercept Will Rockwood to get 
him to ask me about her going to the picnic.” 

‘‘What did you sa}^ ? ” 

“ I couldn’t very well refuse. Pve half a mind to keep 
her at home to-morrow after all.” 

But on reflection she decided that it would be bet- 
ter to allow the child to go ; if she failed to put in an 
appearance Mr. Rockwood would very likely ascribe it 
to her influence, so owing to that Lottie was awakened 
in good time ; she jumped out of bed and ran to the 
window ; the sun, like a great red ball, shone through 
the light fog; it promised to be a fine day. She dressed 
herself hurriedly, happy, but unconsciously feeling the 
absence of loving fingers to fasten a hook here or to 
straighten a fold there — those sympathetic touches that 
only love’s hands can give. 


The School Picnic 


29 


Maude and Edie came along the street in good time ; 
they intended to call at Prestons’ with a vague hope 
that some way Or other Lottie might be ready to ac- 
company them ; imagine their joy when a little figure 
with shining eyes and cheeks red with excitement, which 
had been waiting just inside the gate, jumped out at 
them crying : Hurrah — hurrah ! ” 

hoped you would come!” ‘^We were afraid 
you couldn’t.” 

As Maude and Edie lived next door to each other 
they had packed both lunches in one basket ; they set 
it down and carefully raised the cover in order to put 
away Lottie’s contribution, a glass of jelly and a jar of 
pickles, which Mrs. Preston had given her. A glimpse 
of the good things inside the basket would make one’s 
mouth water but wait and see them in their glory spread 
out under the trees ! 

The grove was beautifully situated on the banks of 
a small stream ; it lacked a dancing platform and band 
stand but had an abundance of trees and grass. The 
three girls climbed a hill back of the picnic grounds on 
a hunt for berries and wild flowers ; they returned look- 
ing like ^Horest nymphs,” as Mr. Rockwood said when 
he met them in the woods wreathed and decorated with 
blossoms and vines. The older persons who had accom- 
panied the picnic were sitting in groups reading or 
chatting ; one old lady who sat at the foot of a tree 


30 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


with a piece ot fancy work in her hands glanced up 
amused and greeted them ; she wore a pretty cap of 
black lace and purple ribbon on her snowy hair. As 
they went past Lottie shyly extended a bunch of blue 
flowers to her which she accepted with a gracious smile. 

‘‘Who is your little friend?” she asked the other 
girls with whom she seemed to be acquainted. 

“ Lottie — Carlotta Lake. ” 

“ Carlotta — Oh yes — Thank you dear!” 

“ Who is she ? ” whispered Lottie when they re- 
sumed their walk. 

“ Mr. Rockwood’s mother.” 

“Is that Mr. Rockwood’s mother?” 

She glanced back ; the lady was still watching them ; 
she gave Lottie a parting smile which added to the 
day’s happiness ; Lottie was glad that she had given her 
the flowers. 

They had a lovely time, the “very loveliest in the 
world” as Edie said, when on their way home they paused, 
tired but happy at the Little Woman’s house ; they divided 
the spoils into three equal parts, first arranging a tiny 
bouquet of bright buds and ivy vines for the Little Woman. 

After good-byes had been said Lottie entered the 
house carrying her precious oflering ; she felt that she was 
bringing a portion of the day’s joy back with her in the 
shape of those flowers for Mrs. Preston and Claudia who 
had missed the picnic. 


The School Picnic 


31 


The elder lady was not at home ; Claudia was prepar- 
ing tea ; her two guests had been obliged to leave early 
and Lottie’s help had not been missed. Rubbish/’ she 
exclaimed when Lottie came in at the door. Throw it 
away ! those daisies take root everywhere so be careful 
to carry them outside the yard ! You are the queerest 
girl ! ” 

Lottie did not dare to disobey ; she took the flowers 
to a near-by alley-way and set them down in the shade 
of a bush. I can come out and look at ’em to-morrow 
anyway,” she thought. 

Maude’s and Edie’s flowers were received gladly and 
hung around the picture frames and decorated the vases 
for several days just in the way Lottie would have dis- 
posed of hers had she been some one’s ^Yeally own” girl. 
As it was she did not grieve overmuch — you see it 
happened on that happy picnic day. 


CHAPTER III. 


The Garnet Brooch 



URiNG the three months’ vacation Maude 
\ and Edie had an enjoyable time which 
n would have been still happier if their 
/ friend Lottie had been permitted to join 
^ in their play ; it was only at rare inter- 
vals that she could spend an hour with 


them, but almost every day she came out for a few minutes’ 
meeting at the Little Woman’s house. 

“ What do you do all day ? ” queried Maude on one 
occasion. 

‘^Mrs. Preston wants a new rag carpet and I sew all 
afternoon ; it’s nice work though. I like it better than 
dishwashing. It’s nice to see the balls a growing and to 
sew the pretty pieces together.” 

‘H hate dishwashing!” cried Edie, but in vacation 
I often dry the dishes.” 

“ So do I. One day I ironed some towels and mamma 
said I did them beautifully,” cried Maude. 

Poor Lottie, no one ever praised her work no mat- 
ter how carefully she tried to do it, no one ever told 

( 32 ) 


The Garnet Brooch 


33 


her she did anything beautifully, but then she was only 
a bound girl. 

Sometimes she was obliged to sit for a whole morn- 
ing seeding cherries or plums or preparing vegetables 
in the kitchen while the family was in the upper part 
of the house. Claudia would run down occasionally to 
remark on Lottie’s slowness: “Not through yet, why 
what have you been doing?” or, “Taking your time 
as usual ! I never saw such a slow poke ! ” But she 
never sat down to help the child in her wearisome 
tasks. It was always Claudia who had a new piece 
of work ready for her, and it was Claudia who made 
her labor beyond her strength. 

“Don’t bend over that way, Lottie,” said one of 
her friends when Lottie came out one evening with a 
noticeable stoop in her shoulders, “ Mamma says we 
should hold our backs straight.” 

Lottie straightened up with a sigh. “ It’s hard to 
’member that when one is so tired. I had to scrub the 
kitchen oilcloth on my hands and knees. It’s such a 
big floor and my hands get quite stiff in the water ! Oh 
dear, there’s Miss Claudy calling me and I only just came 
out ! ” she said as they heard a voice screaming, “ Lottie 
— Lot-t-i-e — ,” and before Lottie could answer, its owner 
had reached the gate. 

“Lottie, did you see my garnet brooch anywhere ?” 
she cried excitedly. 

3 


34 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


No, Miss.’^ 

I cannot find it ” 

Oh is it lost, that lovely breastpin ! ” 

Is it lost ! The last I saw it was when I left it 
on my dresser this morning. No one has been in my 
room since then but youf^^ Her voice kept rising until 
it ended in a passionate screech. 

^Hndeed I haven’t seen it,” began Lottie, but Claudia 
interrupted, sent you to my room for my white 
waist so that I could do it up.” 

‘^Yes, I know; the waist was lying across a chair 
by the window. I got it but I never even looked around 
’cause you were in such a hurry for it.” 

“You couldn’t help but see it. If it isn’t found soon 
I’ll send for Policeman Jones and have the thief arrested.” 

She seized Lottie by the arm and hurried her into 
the house ; the other girls heard her angry tones until 
the door was closed with a bang ; they gazed at each 
other frightened. 

^^Does she think Lottie took it?” whispered Maude. 

Sounds like it — mean old thing — but I hope she 
will find it soon ! ” 

Would she send Lottie to jail I wonder.” 

^H’m afraid so and it’s full of rats ” 

“Yes, and damp and dark. I peeped in there one 
day.” Shuddering, they ran home with their direful 


news. 


The Garnet Brooch 


35 


^^Send Lottie up to me,” directed Mrs. Preston when 
she heard her daughter’s noisy entrance. Lottie was given 
a shove that started her up the stairway at the head of 
which her mistress waited looking very stern. 

Come in here,” she said, leading the way to the parlor. 
She seated herself in an easy chair, while Lottie stood in 
front of her, wondering what it all meant. 

^^Now Lottie it is no use to pretend to me that you 
have not seen Miss Claudia’s brooch.” 

^Mndeed, Mrs. Preston, I didn’t see it to-day.” 

‘^When did you see at last?” 

It was that night Miss Claudy went to the lawn 
fete ; she was dressed in white and the pin shone just 
lovely every time she moved.” 

She tells me you always admired it.” 

^^Yes it was so beaut’ful. Can’t it be found any- 
where f ” 

‘^We have hunted all over the house.” 

After a few minutes she continued : But you go and 
hunt it, Lottie. I think you will find it!” 

Yes, and look in your own room,” added Miss Pres- 
ton coming in, “Who hides, finds.” 

Her mother signified her to keep silent and sent Lottie 
away on her new task. 

The latter strangely enough did not understand from 
their, to her, enigmatic words that she was suspected of 
taking the ornament ; she set about the hunt in good faith. 


36 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


with as great eagerness as a gold hunter might display in 
locating a vein ; up stairs and down in every possible and 
impossible place, including her own corner of the attic as 
she had been bidden, ‘^’Though how it could get here 
unless it flew I can’t see,” she mused. 

In vain ! She was obliged to return to the parlor at 
the expiration of a half hour to announce her unsuccess. 

Mrs. Preston had been advising her daughter to wait 
patiently that Lottie would surely return her pin but 
Claudia was not so hopeful. 

“I can’t find it anywhere!” exclaimed Lottie. 

I told you so,” Claudia said to her mother, She’s 
too sneaking to ” 

Lottie failed to hear the words ; what seemed to her 
a brilliant idea had just entered her mind. 

I know the very thing to do now,” she cried, I’ll 
go up to Miss Claudy’s room and try again.” 

Mrs. Preston and Claudia followed her ; they were 
confident that Lottie would go direct to where the brooch 
was concealed ; they stood in the doorway of Claudia’s 
room while Lottie advanced to the centre ; her face 
glowed excitedly ; she spat on her left hand and singing 
out, Spit, spit spy, tell me where that brooch does lie,” 
she struck her palm with the other hand then she marched 
toward the window as indicated by the charm. 

Claudia and Mrs. Preston followed fully expecting 
her to produce the pin but alas the charm did not work ! 


The Garnet Brooch 


87 


Lottie got down on her knees and searched but found 
no trace of the brooch. 

When Claudia realized that Lottie really would not 
return it her rage knew no bounds. 

‘Wou imp, do you think to impose on us with all 
this foolery ? ” she cried, I told mamma how it would 
be, she can see for herself now ! Do you hear me ? 
Tell me what you did with my brooch ! ” 

a I ! ?? 

‘‘Yes, you — you stole it — no — ^no need to deny it — 
Pve seen you watching it every time Pve worn it.” 

“ It was so pretty ! I never thought of taking it 
though. Oh,” cried the child in a passion of tears, “did 
you think I would be so mean ! ” 

“Go back to your work now Lottie, I expected dif- 
ferent things from you,” commanded Mrs. Preston, grieved 
to have her own peace thus disturbed. 

“ And make up your mind to go to prison if you 
don’t return my pin,” called Claudia. 

The days that followed were miserable ones for the 
child ; they tried in every way to make her confess hav- 
ing taken the brooch but Claudia’s threats and Mrs. Pres- 
ton’s coaxing failed to have effect except to make Lottie 
more terrified and nervous. 

She -saw Maude and Edie the third day after the 
loss but only tor a few minutes. 

“Don’t you ever make faces at that Claudy ” in- 


38 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


quired Maude. “Why if I were you Pd make so many 
faces that my face would be set this way,” then she looked 
so fierce that they all laughed together despite the grav- 
ity of the affair. 

Mamma says the brooch is just lying around some- 
where. One day she lost her gold ring and she hunted 
.and hunted, turned the house upside down, but had to 
give it up and the next day she found it in the bureau 
right where she had looked a dozen times ! ” Edie said. 

“ What kind of a looking pin was it ? ” 

“It was round and all covered with little red stones. 
I do wish it would let itself be found ! ” 

Lottie was called away just as Mr. Rockwood came 
up the street. 

^^Why did Carlotta run away so scared looking?” 
he asked the girls. 

“ Why Claudy Preston called her, and no wonder 
she’s scared. They are going to have her arrested.” 

“ And sent to jail ! ” 

In that way Mr. Rockwood heard for the first time 
of Lottie’s disgrace. 

“ I am sorry but I do not think Carlotta is in fault. 
She does not look like a wicked girl, I must see what 
I can do ” was all he said. He was however very in- 
dignant to hear of the harsh measures taken against 
her. 

Lottie had been called to carry a pitcher of ice water 


The Garnet Brooch 


39 


to the parlor where two elderly lady friends of Mrs. Pres- 
ton were being entertained ; when the little girl appeared 
one of the visitors who was small and thin shook her head 
sorrowfully, the other who was large and fat heaved a 
prodigious sigh ; then they looked at each other and shook 
their heads and sighed in unison. Under different circum- 
stances Lottie would have thought that some of their 
friends were dead but now she had a vague feeling that 
all this pantomime related to her. 

When she was through she was relieved to get away 
from them ; she sat on the steps in the lower hall ; pres- 
ently she heard them taking leave. 

It is risky business taking strange children into one’s 
home,” a voice said. ‘‘One never knows what they are,” 
said another. “ I believe I remember the brooch ; didn’t 
you use to wear it Jennie ?” This question was addressed 
to Mrs. Preston. “Yes, mamma gave it to me,” answered 
Claudia. The truth of the matter was that Claudia had 
coveted the pin ever since she was old enough to wear it ; 
then she borrowed it on every occasion, until at last she 
forgot to return it ; she had kept it for so long that she 
now considered it her own property. It had been a gift 
to Mrs. Preston from her mother and she had worn it with 
pride for many years, as it was a quaint and beautiful thing 
and its old-fashioned setting added to its beauty ; although 
she was glad to loan it to Claudia at any time she rather 
resented her appropriating it ; she was too yielding to 


40 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


assert her claim however and Claudia had her own way 
as usual. 

I wonder where she has it concealed,” observed one 
of the visitors. Here comes William Rockwood, we will 
have his escort up street,” cried the other. 

They rustled away amid a chorus of good-byes. Lottie 
heard them greeting Mr. Rockwood at the gate and his 
deeper tones in reply. It added to her bitterness to know 
that he would learn of her disgrace ; it never occurred to 
her that he would believe in her and that he would not 
condemn her without a hearing. 

Mr. Rockwood parted with the ladies when their 
different ways branched off and continued his journey 
home. He lived at the extreme upper end of town in 
a pretty white frame two-storied house, bounded in front 
by a flowered grass plot and at one side by a pathway 
bordered with myrtle which led to the old-fashioned gar- 
den in the rear ; when the front and back doors of the 
centre hall were open as on this particular day, it af- 
forded a pleasant vista of grape arbors and trees and 
farther away the hills sloping gently to the blue skies. 

The mistress of the house was busy concocting some 
dainty for the evening meal when her son sought her 
out. He told her of Lottie’s trouble. 

Mother, I wish you would call at the Prestons and 
see what you can do for Carlotta. I should do so my- 
self but I think it would be useless. I know Miss 


The Garnet Brooch 


41 


Preston resented my interfering about the picnic although 
she pretended otherwise.” 

‘^Pll see what I can do. I remember meeting Car- 
lotta at the picnic, she seemed to be a bright child.” 

She is bright. Her standing at school is excellent, 
but she is absent so often that she has had a poor 
chance so far. Do you know, mother, I have often 
wished you could get her from the Prestons. She would 
have an opportunity to develop properly with you.” 

Perhaps you are partial my son,” returned the lady, 
gazing fondly at her tall son. 

“You could bring me forward as an example of 
your upbringing, no one could resist that,” he said laugh- 
ingly. ^^But seriously, mother mine, a child of Carlotta’s 
age would be company for you and there would be no 
danger of her being overworked here.” 

“ I would undertake the charge gladly. I think she 
would be contented with us ; but it is a delicate matter, 
the Prestons may consider me overofhcious. I can at 
least try.” 

Accordingly, next day Mrs. Rockwood made the 
promised call. She found both ladies at home. During 
their conversation the loss of the brooch was recounted. 
They gave their reasons for suspecting Lottie: — her 
great admiration of the trinket and its disappearance 
just after she had been in Claudia’s room. “ I think it 
was natural for her to admire the brooch,” said Mrs. 


42 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


Rockwood, ‘‘you know all children love to handle one’s 
rings and pretty things. Besides one cannot be abso- 
lutely certain of having put or seen a thing in a partic- 
ular place. At times I feel positive that I placed my 
spectacles in my workbox and after a long search there 
they are on my head ! Perhaps you may find your brooch 
in the same way Miss Preston.” 

“I wish I could, indeed, but it looks suspicious.” 

“ Still as long as you have no direct evidence against 
her I would at least wait and see.” 

“ Of course you don’t know her as well as we do. 
Poor mamma has been so kind, and I, too, have been 
lenient, remembering her antecedents.” 

“ Then you know her people ? ” 

“Not exactly. The managers of the Home knew 
very little about her in fact.” 

“ It seems that after her husband’s death Lottie’s 
mother took in sewing. A sudden illness carried her off ; 
they could find no trace of her people so the child was 
taken to the Home a few weeks before I went there,” 
said Mrs. Preston. 

“ A sad case, but poverty does not imply crime you 
know,” Mrs. Rockwood remarked, and after a while she 
asked, “ Do you think of returning her to the asylum ? ” 

“Well not at present ” 

“ Let me know if you should decide to do so please, 
I may be able to provide for her in some other manner.” 


The Garnet Brooch 


43 


Oh, mamma has taken her until she is of age, so it 
is not probable that she will send her away ; besides she 
may produce my brooch some day,’’ said Claudia who had 
no desire to lose Lottie’s help, especially now that others 
were interested in her. 

Finding that her elYorts in Lottie’s behalf were useless 
Mrs. Rockwood changed the subject and soon took her 
leave. 

Several days , passed. Mr. Rockwood looked for 
Lottie every time he went past the Prestons. He hoped 
to meet her on the street but he failed to see her ; nor was 
she to be seen playing at the Little Woman’s house. Her 
two little friends were there quite frequently and he as- 
sured them of his belief in Lottie, which tidings they con- 
veyed to her. 

She had been absent on an errand during Mrs. Rock- 
wood’s call and nothing was said in her hearing about it, 
though in private Claudia expressed her indignation at 
‘Hhat old busybody’s” interference. 

The sympathy of her two girl companions and the 
knowledge of Mr. Rockwood’s interest afforded Lottie 
great consolation. She was daily subjected to much hu- 
miliation by Mrs. Preston’s martyr-like sighs, and by the 
younger lady’s innuendoes. The threat of arrest overhung 
her waking hours and troubled her dreams. Going out- 
side the house on errands no longer was a source of joy. 
A group collected around a street organ or any other un- 


44 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


wonted noise or crowd terrified her, she imagined it was 
the policeman coming for her. Therefore she sought the 
most out ot the wav side streets, and hurried on her way 
and back to the house glad to reach the shelter of its 
walls, where the atmosphere, though unpleasant, was 
better than that of the jail. 

Often at night in her little bare room she took from 
her box a tiny object which glittered in the light of the 
candle. It was a golden locket which contained the pic- 
tures of her parents. How longingly she gazed at them, 
how she missed them now, especially her mother whose 
memory was more distinct in her mind. Sometimes in- 
stead of replacing the locket in the box she would put it 
around her neck by the narrow ribbon attached and wear 
it all night. It comforted her somewhat and kept her 
from feeling so lonely after she had blown out the light 
and the room was in darkness, except on moonlight nights 
when the moonbeams stole in at the window ; occasionally 
the moon himself peeped in like a jolly old friend and 
found her kneeling at the bedside praying for the recovery 
of the brooch and he would watch over her until she went 
to bed and fell fast asleep. 


CHAPTER IV. 


What the Girls Found 

school begins on Monday,” observed 
die one fine afternoon in late August. 
I got my books ready, all packed up to 
art.” 

I wonder if Lottie is going.” 

^^We must stop and see.” 

They were on their way to the Little 
Woman’s house. There had been quite a severe storm 
the day previous, the gutter overflowing so that they had 
been anxious concerning their tiny friend. But it seemed 
she was unharmed, everything was as usual except for 
a few stones and weeds that had drifted in. 

We’ll clean them away after we call Lottie,” said 
Maude. 

They opened the gate gently ; no sign of anyone 
around ; then Edie gave a soft whistle that no boy of her 
age could improve on ; they waited a moment then 
whistled again more shrilly ; presently Lottie’s blonde 
head popped out the door. 

Hello girls ! ” 

Hello !” 



(45) 


46 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


“Can’t you come out?” 

She shook her head negatively, and held up a paring 
knife in one hand and a potato in the other. 

“Try and come out after while. We are going to do 
some work for the Little Woman.” 

“I’ll try but I’m awful bus3\” 

“We want to talk about going to school too.” 

The eager face clouded perceptibl3\ 

“I don’t know yet girls, but Til be out in half an hour 
maybe, or maybe not till to-morrow.” 

“ Good-b}^e ! ” “ Good-b3^e ! ” With a parting flour- 

ish of the potato she was gone. 

The others returned to their task. While they busied 
themselves a gay party came along. A crowd of 3^oung 
people had met at the post-office where they dail3" went 
for mail and their paths leading the same way they re- 
turned together with merry talk and laughter. Among 
them was Mr. Rockwood. 

He noticed the two little girls making frantic eflbrts 
to reach into the spout with a stick. 

“What are 3’ou doing little ones ?” he inquired. 

“There’s something fastened in there; we can feel 
it with the stick but it’s too far in to see what ’tis.” 

“And this stick just won’t stir it, it’s not long 
enough.” 

“Try my cane,” cried one of the young men oblig- 
ingly. 




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“A Breastpin, 


I Declare!” 




What the Girls Found 


47 


The crowd halted in a good-natured way more in- 
tent on their own fun than on the children’s play. 

I’ll expect you to divide the spoils,” said the owner 
of the cane. 

That’s just like you Clarence, never to do a good 
action without a promised reward,” remarked one of the 
ladies teasingly. 

^‘Here it comes now,” cried Maude. 

What, my reward ? ” 

^^Oh look!” 

They all crowded around to see the small object 
in the child’s hand. 

“A breastpin, I declare!” exclaimed one of the 
crowd. 

That is Claudia Preston’s lost brooch, I know it 
well, ” one of the young women declared. 

Sure enough there it was, no worse for its journey 
down the spout, the garnet brooch whose loss had occa- 
sioned so much unhappiness ! 

^fThe Little Woman brought it ! Hurrah ! Hur-rah !” 
cried Maude and Edie dancing with joy. 

Hurrah,” returned Mr. Rockwood no less pleased. 

Come, all you good people and we will return it to 
its owner.” 

They all followed him up to the Prestons’ front 
door. The two little girls first tried the gate, intending 
to notify Lottie at once but it had become in some way 


48 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


fastened so they joined the crowd. They trooped into 
the yard a laughing crowd, everybody seemed to be talk- 
ing at once. The unusual excitement attracted several 
small boys who hung on the outskirts of the procession 
and stood waiting at the gate to see what was going 
to happen. 

Mr. Rockwood rang the door bell. Presently the 
door was opened by IVfiss Preston. 

Is this a surprise party ? ” she asked smilingly, in- 
viting them to enter. 

“Yes, a very pleasant one for you and Carlotta,’^ 
explained Mr. Rockwood, producing the brooch. 

“ My brooch ! ” 

^^Yes indeed, Claudia. You must have lost it in the 
wash. You know you told me you did up your waist 
yourself that day it was lost. No doubt it was sticking 
in the waist and fell out and was washed away in the 
water,” said the girl who had identified the pin. Then 
they told how it had been found. 

“ I really must reward the children,” Claudia said 
after a while, though she had no intention of ever so 
doing. 

^^We don’t want an}^ reward,” declared Edie stoutly. 
“We are so glad you can’t have Lottie arrested now for 
stealing it.” 

“ Arrested, what nonsense ! Lottie knew I never 
thought of such a thing ! ” 


What the Girls Found 


49 


But you told her ” began Maude when Claudia 

interrupted addressing Mr. Rockwood, ^^Just at first I 
thought Lottie might have taken it out of childish curi- 
osity intending to return it, but when she did not do 
so at once I knew she had not touched it. I am so 
glad it has been found.” 

She was indeed delighted but felt chagrined that after 
all the talk Lottie was proven innocent. 

Where is Lottie now?’’ asked Maude. 

Down stairs somewhere. You girls run around to 
the other gate and tell her the news,” replied Claudia 
graciously. 

“But the gate is locked.” 

“ In that case I’ll call her.” Claudia went to the 
head of the stairs and called softly, “Lottie.” No one 
answered. Never had Lottie’s name been breathed so 
sweetly by Miss Preston in all the months that Lottie 
had been an inmate of the house, but her calling brought 
no response. Then she went down stairs and up to 
Lottie’s room but found no sign of her anywhere. Mrs. 

Preston who had been taking a nap awoke and assured 

her she had not sent the child on an errand, on the 

contrar}^ she had left her busy in the kitchen half an 

hour previous. 

In the meantime all the visitors had departed ex- 
cept Mr. Rockwood and the two little girls who waited 
to see Lottie. 


4 


50 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


I cannot find her anywhere,” announced Claudia, 
Girls, you run up to Blacks’ and Ellisons’, she may 
have gone there to play.” She never plays with any- 
one but Maude and me,” said Edie. However, they 
obeyed Miss Preston’s instructions. No one at either 
house had seen Lottie nor could they discover any trace 
of her in the alley-way. They returned disappointed to 
the house. Mr. Rockwood then volunteered to visit the 
neighboring stores, but his search too, was unsuccessful, 
Mrs. Preston found none of Lottie’s belongings missing 
except her bonnet. 

‘‘ It seems that your mother left Lottie busy in the 
kitchen about half past three o’clock. Maude and Edie 
spoke to her at perhaps a quarter of an hour later, that 
would be at three-forty-five, just before we came up 
from the post-office. Shortly after that time, say twenty- 
five minutes later or about four-fifteen, she is missing. 
She must have quit the house at four o’clock,” the 
young man said. 

They were all assembled in the parlor. Maude and 
Edie clinging close together half frightened. Everyone 
was beginning to feel uneasy. 

Maybe she has run away,” ventured Edie in a half 
whisper. One day we asked what she would do if the 
policeman came and she said, ‘Why I’d run off.’” 

“ She knew I was merely joking about sending for 
an officer and that she had no intention of going is proved 


What the Girls Found 


51 


by her failure to take her clothes along,” Claudia answered 
sharply. 

She even left her locket that she was very fond of,” 
added Mrs. Preston. 

Mr. Rockwood arose. ‘‘We must institute a search- 
ing party,” he said, “But first I shall run home for a few 
minutes or mother will be worried. I may have the good 
fortune to meet Lottie on my way.” 

“ I hope so ! ” 

“ If not I shall return in an hour. It is now half past 
five.” 

He took his leave. The two girls accompanied him 
as far as the gate where they said good-bye. Maude and 
Edie went down street to their homes and the young man 
journeyed up the hill to his. They all kept a sharp look- 
out but they found no trace of Lottie. 


CHAPTER V. 


The Runaway 

OTTiE was still busy preparing vegetables for 
supper when she heard the bell ring. She 
dried her hands carefully, put on a clean 
apron over her working dress, and ran up 
to the front hall, for it was her duty to 
answer the bell unless she was instructed 
to the contrary. 

Through the etched glass at each side of the door 
she caught a glimpse of many shadowy forms. A sudden 
fear thrilled her. Could it be the policeman who had 
come to arrest her ? 

Had the crowd accompanied him in the way she had 
once seen curious people following a man who had been 
arrested, to watch her going to jail ? 

She hesitated at the closed door for an instant, her 
heart beating loudly. She heard muffled tones without, 
that in her nervous state of mind sounded menacing ; foot- 
steps seemed to press nearer to the door; she turned and 
fled down the stairway ; grabbing her sunbonnet from its 
hook on the kitchen wall she ran into the yard and out 

(52) 



The Runaway 


53 


of the gate, not the one close to the Little Woman’s house 
but one which led to the alley. 

Here she paused breathless. Where should she go ? 
Not daring to lose any time she turned at last to the right 
and ran along the alley, away from the house and up the 
hill. 

The farther she got away from her starting point the 
more secure she felt but she did not slacken her speed. 
At the top of the alley was a street where many stores 
were located ; she crossed this street and followed it for 
a short distance until another side street branched off 
which led after many windings to the country road over 
which the school children had marched on that memorable 
picnic day, when she had been so happy with no dark 
cloud of suspicion and tear to make her tremble. 

Instinctively she made her way in that direction now, 
although when she quit the house she had no thought 
of so doing ; she was glad that her indefinite steps had led 
her this way, for out in the country in the fields and woods 
was liberty ! She thought regretfully of her loved locket 
which she had had no time to secure, and the tears came 
into her eyes for she felt that she was leaving forever her 
little friends Maude and Edie and the Little Woman, with- 
out even saying good-bye. But surely they would under- 
stand and forgive her, and think she did right to run away 
from that dreadful prison where the darkness and the rats 
tormented those shut in by strong barred doors. 


54 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


Just where the town ended the road led past several 
residences pleasantly situated between countr}/ and town, 
having the advantages of both in being close enough to 
stores and churches, still possessing spacious gardens, and 
beautiful views of wide stretching pastureland and tower- 
ing tree-covered hills. 

On her former trip past those houses Lottie had ad- 
mired them very much, especially one of white frame 
where the roses and myrtle ran riot, which she had picked 
out as the kind of a place she would choose for a home 
‘‘ when she got rich,’’ but now she did not even glance 
toward it, but kept her sunbonnet turned resolutely straight 
to the front. 

In this way she failed to see a lady who sat by a 
downstairs window in the very house she had thought 
so pretty. The lady was busily plying her needle, not too 
much engrossed with it however to escape seeing any 
occasional passer-by and at last she espied a small figure 
in a great check apron and a sunbonnet, which hid her 
face, speeding along the dusty way. 

She watched the child idly for a moment not recogni- 
zing her, but after a while something in the poise of her 
head, something in her whole appearance recalled some- 
body she ought to know, could it be the little girl Carlotta ? 
If so she would hail her. She had no opportunity to verify 
her fancy for the bonnet concealed its wearer’s features 
and she did not glance around. She had reached the 




‘Oh, Mrs. Rockwood, is It You?” 





The Runawat 


55 


house and was hurrying past when suddenly the watcher 
threw aside her work and hurried out of the front door 
and down the pathway to the gate. 

‘^Carlotta ! she cried but the child paid no attention, 
on the contrary she increased her gait although she must 
have heard her name called. 

The lady experienced a sudden uneasiness ; there was 
something unusual in the way the little girl flew along 
unheedful of everything ; she felt that something was 
wrong. 

She hailed her again more loudly with the same re- 
sult. Baffled but determined she opened the gate and 
hurried after the runaway. She gained enough to materi- 
ally decrease the distance between them and then called 
again, Lottie, Carlotta ! ” 

The child did not pause but she turned her head. 
Instead of the boisterous crowd of boys with the police- 
man which she had expected to see she met the friendly 
gaze of an old lady with snowy hair whose cap ribbons 
were flying in the breeze. 

Lottie stopped in her mad flight and went back to 
meet her. 

Oh, Mrs. Rockwood, is it you?’’ she cried in a 
tone of almost sobbing relief. 

Why child, you led me a race, I can hardly get 
my breath. Why didn’t you stop when I first called ? ” 
was afraid!” 


56 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


Afraid — what — of mef ” 

“No, not of you! I thought they were coming to 
arrest me ! ” 

“ Is that the reason you look so terrified, poor child, 
you are almost exhausted ! Come home with me and 
rest a while and tell me all about it,” said Mrs. Rock- 
wood taking Lottie’s little feverish hand in hers and 
turning toward home. 

But Lottie drew back. “ No, no, I don’t dare to go. 
I must hurry on or they will catch me. Listen, I hear 
a noise ! ” 

“That is only a country wagon, my dear. In any 
case no one would dare to molest you while I am near.” 

“ But I must hurry on ! ” 

“ Where did you think of going, Carlotta ? ” 

“I don’t know where exactly — to the picnic grounds 
I guess. There are so many lovely hiding places there ! ” 

“Now little girl don’t be foolish, that is out of the 
question. Do you think you would be safer there when 
the dark night comes than with me ? Come and I can 
hide you if necessary, but they will never think of look- 
ing for you at my house.” 

Mrs. Rockwood retained possession of Lottie’s hand 
while the latter at first unwillingly but at last almost 
gladly suffered herself to be led to the house. 

“Why, just think, it is the very house I picked out 
for myself,” she cried in surprise when they turned in 


The Runaway 


57 


at the gate. When they reached the cool shelter of the 
dwelling Mrs. Rockwood led her charge to the sitting- 
room and bade her sit down on an old-fashioned sofa. 
Then she removed Lottie’s bonnet and brushed the damp 
ringlets away from her heated brow. 

The unaccustomed tenderness, the caressing words 
of her protector, the kindly attentions which recalled the 
sweet care of her dead mother, made the nervous ten- 
sion which had carried Lottie through the exciting events 
of the last hour to give way, and leaning her head 
against Mrs. Rockwood’s shoulder she cried heartily. 

That lady did not attempt to quiet her, and at last 
her sobbing ceased and she was able to tell her story 
to sympathizing ears. 

Mrs. Rockwood soon understood the painful position 
which Lottie had filled ever since her coming to the 
Prestons as a bound girl, and the constant fear and 
humiliation of the last few weeks. 

Her heart ached as she listened, and she clasped 
the child’s form more closely wishing that she might 
keep her always ; she knew that Claudia Preston would 
not consent to part with her so she said nothing to 
the child of her wish but comforted her as well as she 
could. 

After a while she said, ^^Well, Carlotta, come up 
stairs and bathe your hands and face, that will cool you 
off while I get supper. My son will be home directly, 


58 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


and we will see what is best to be done. You need 
have no fears of arrest, the idea is absurd.” 

But that crowd at the door, Mrs. Rockwood ! ” 

‘‘ Perhaps your fears exaggerated the size of the 
crowd, it may have been some people to call on the ladies,” 
returned Mrs. Rockwood as they entered a small room on 
the second floor. 

What a pretty, pretty room ! ” exclaimed Lottie, 
It looks like the blue room in a story the girls and I were 
reading ! ” 

It was indeed a dainty apartment, with blue and white 
matting on the floor and the walls papered with a neat 
design in the same colors ; the curtains were white with 
delicate blue sprigs ; they were looped back from the 
windows which opened toward the back of the house 
giving views of the garden and the hills. The bed was 
a small brass one with a white fringed cover, and there 
was a quaint oak dresser with an oval mirror above and 
a washstand holding a pitcher and bowl ornamented with 
blue flowers. On the walls were a few pictures with 
inexpensive frames, at one side of the bed was one called 
‘^Wide Awake,” which displayed two chubby urchins 
looking out to say, Good morning,” while its companion 
picture, ‘‘Fast Asleep,” hung on the opposite side showing 
the same subjects slumbering peacefully. A few chairs, 
one, a willow rocker, beside a small table on which was 
a reading lamp completed the furnishing of the room. 


The Runaway 


59 


Lottie washed her hands and face and brushed her 
hair, feeling for the moment like the princess in a fairy 
tale. She walked around the room admiring each object, 
pausing at the window to gaze without and finally sat 
down on the rocking chair, feeling so content, so safe and 
happy. 

If only it could last ! If this were her really own ’’ 
room ! If she might stay there always with dear kind 
Mrs. Rockwood and her son ! 


CHAPTER VI. 


Pleasant Surprises 

\T lady down stairs was wishing the same 
thing. How it would brighten the house to 
have Carlotta running through it, and filling 
it with the merry laughter of childhood. 

That little room just suits her and she 
admires it so much. Pm afraid she has been 
very unhappy at the Prestons, though her 
childish capacity for happiness made her almost unmind- 
ful of her position until in the last few weeks. Claudia 
Preston must be a heartless girl and yet once I fancied 
Will admired her ! How sorry I would feel now if I 
still thought so ! ” 

She spread the table for tea, taking out her fragile 
cups and saucers and placing a tall vase of flowers in 
the centre. She set on an old-fashioned silver basket 
filled with small cakes and a pretty crystal dish of de- 
licious honey. Then there were cool looking vegetables 
and a plate of home-made bread, while the tea simmered 
and the steak waited to be broiled in the small out- 
kitchen. 

(60) 



Pleasant Surprises 


61 


After a while Mrs. Rockwood heard the clicking 
of the gate and her son came into the house breath- 
less. 

Mother, Carlotta’s lost, just give me a cup of cof- 
fee and I’m off to search for her,” he cried excitedly. 

^^Carlotta! Lost!” said the lady in what to her son 
sounded a very uninterested tone. 

must hurry,” he exclaimed. ^^We must find her 
before night comes on.” 

‘‘But Will, you can’t run off in that way. I have 
a guest for supper.” 

“Yes, I see,” he said, glancing at the extra touches 
she had given the table. He wondered at his mother’s 
indifference. “ Please make my excuses, as for me I 
will not feel easy until Carlotta is found. And just to 
think mother, that miserable brooch was found about 
the time she left the Prestons ! ” 

“Found,” cried Mrs. Rockwood with no lack of 
enthusiasm in her voice now. 

There was a rush of footsteps in the stairway. Car- 
lotta on her way down had heard the young man’s con- 
cluding sentence. She rushed toward him her eyes 
shining. 

“ Found ? O dear Mr. Rockwood is it true ? is it 
really found?” she cried joyfully. 

“ Found, found ! The brooch and now the girl ! 
Mother you sly creature, no wonder my first piece of 


62 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


news didn’t upset you, I wondered at your calmness. 
Carlotta how glad I am to find you here !” 

‘^Well come to supper, everything is getting cold,” 
broke in Mrs. Rockwood, so while they all enjoyed the 
meal the young man told his tale. 

‘‘It was the Little Woman who brought it back,” 
declared Lottie, “ How glad Maude and Edie must have 
been ! ” 

“ How relieved they will be when they hear that you, 
too, are found; but it was this Little Woman who found 
you^'' returned Mr. Rockwood, indicating his mother. 

The latter smiled. “ I’ll tell you all about that later 
Will,” she said. 

How they all enjoyed that meal, especiall}^ Lottie 
who was too happy and excited to feel at all shy. The 
atmosphere of their sympathy which enveloped her made 
her seem like a different child from the little bound girl 
who ate her meals alone and in haste at the Prestons. 

After supper while Lottie was out in the garden 
Mrs. Rockwood related to her son the happenings of 
the afternoon. 

“Poor little girl she really did run off' then ! I imagined 
when I saw her here that she had come for a visit without 
obtaining permission, but I saw later that something was 
being held back.” 

“Will, must we return her to the Prestons!” ex- 
claimed the lady sorrowfully after a while. 


Pleasant Surprises 


63 


am afraid so mother, I dislike the thought as 
much as you do but as you found . out not long ago, 
they will not consent to part with her. It is a pity, 
poor child, she would be quite happy here with you.” 

“Yes, from the first we were drawn to each other. 
It seems cruel to send her away ! ” 

“ Perhaps they will treat her more kindly now,” was 
the young man’s reply, more to comfort his mother than 
to express his own opinion. “ I tell you mother, sup- 
posing you send a note to Mrs. Preston stating that Car- 
lotta is with you and that you will bring her home in 
the morning. Under the circumstances they can’t very 
well object to that. Everything will be better to-mor- 
row, besides Carlotta will not dread the return so much 
now that the pin has been recovered.” 

There was nothing else to be done ; Mrs. Rockwood 
assented and a small boy was sent with the note. 

It occasioned great relief to Mrs. Preston who re- 
ceived it, and in the absence of Claudia, who had gone 
down street toward the post-office in the hope of en- 
countering Lottie, she was compelled to act on her own 
responsibility and agreed to the arrangement. 

Claudia on her return was very indignant. 

“ If I had been here I would have gone and fetched 
her back at once. Meddlesome old thing, I can see she 
just wants to get her from us. Perhaps she induced her 
to run away ! ” 


64 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


^‘Well, we must let it go now, but when Lottie re- 
turns you need not scold her, it was your own persecu- 
tion and nagging which drove her away.” 

Miss Preston gazed in amazement at her mother not, 
however, more surprised at her outburst than was that 
lady herself. She had been carried away, the excitement 
of the afternoon had stirred up all self-assertion that re- 
mained after years of suppression. While Claudia stood 
speechless she noticed her mother fingering nervously 
something at her throat, could it be the garnet brooch ! 
Mrs. Preston arose adding hastily, And Claudia I have 
decided to wear my brooch myself, after all, it is more 
suited to my years and I will buy you a more modern 
one.” She quitted the room hurriedly, feeling like a cul- 
prit, while Claudia vanquished for once in an encounter 
with her parent stood as if rooted to the floor asking her- 
self if her mother had gone crazy. 

To return to Lottie. She had not dreamed of being 
permitted to remain permanently, nor that such an arrange- 
ment would be desired by the Rockwoods. If only I 
might,” had been the extent of her musing. The return 
to her so-called home was not so much dreaded now 
that the heavy load of suspicion was removed from her 
shrinking childish shoulders. She felt like another 
person and when Mrs. Rockwood told her she was to 
remain there over night her surprise was only equaled 
by her delight. 


Pleasant Surprises 


(35 


How kind you are ! How lovely to stay till to- 
morrow ! I wonder if the girls know where I am.” 

Yes, the boy was told to go to their house but he 
met them outside the Prestons’ gate. They were very 
much pleased ; they could hardly wait until to-morrow 
to see you.” 

Lottie played and danced around the garden until 
twilight when she went and sat on the porch at Mrs. 
Rockwood’s feet. They had a confidential talk until the 
return of that lady’s son who had a business engagement 
for the evening. He was pleased with the picture pre- 
sented by the old lady and the child sitting happily to- 
gether, instead of his mother solitary and perhaps lonely 
as she must often be in his absence, though she never 
complained nor had she any desire to chain him to 
the house, so he too wished vainly that Carlotta might 
stay. 

Carlotta, I’m afraid m}^ nose is out of joint,” he said 
playfully tweaking one of her curls. 

Carlotta took his words literally. Oh, Mr. Rock- 
wood ! But it looks all right and straight ! ” she said 
eying that feature doubtfully. 

Well, little girl, you needn’t run for the arnica bot- 
tle. I think I may get used to it in time,” he answered. 
Mrs. Rockwood came to Lottie’s relief by explaining her 
son’s meaning, adding, He is frightfully jealous you see, 
my dear.” 

5 


66 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


Lottie laughed, a gay, happy laugh which had a 
mixture of childish mischievousness new to it, she glanced 
mirthfully at the young man, Let his nose stay out 
of joint then,” she said. 

Bedtime came at last and Lottie fell asleep in the 
brass bed in the pretty blue room while the kind old 
lady hovered around seeing that she was comfortably 
fixed, and the child between sleeping and waking imag- 
ined that it was her mother who had come back to care 
for and to bless her. 


CHAPTER VII. 


A Chat about Lottie 

NE cold evening in the following November, 
Mr. Rockwood and his mother sat beside 
the table in their cozy sitting-room. A 
bright fire burned in the grate glowing on 
the polished fender ; it was reflected in a 
few tasteful pictures which adorned the walls and brought 
out the warm red tones of carpet and curtains. 

The young man was reading a newspaper by the 
light of a lamp whose old-fashioned paper shade dis- 
played a woodland scene with sheep and dancing shep- 
herdesses in contrast to the wintry landscape without. 
Occasionally he read aloud some item ot interest to his 
mother who occupied an easy chair on the other side 
of the table busy with her knitting needles. She did not 
seem to pay much attention to the reading and only 
mechanically to her work, her mind was evidently en- 
grossed by something else. Presently she remarked, 
saw Carlotta to-day.” 

Indeed ! ” answered her son inquiringly laying aside 
his paper. 



( 67 ) 


68 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


“Yes, I went clown to the store to match some wool, 
and met her running along the street, and spoke to her. 
She was very much pleased to see me.” 

“ She seems to be an affectionate child. I see her 
occasionally at the school, but her teacher tells me she 
attends very irregularly.’’ 

“ I asked her why she never came to see us and she 
looked so pitiful, I was sorry for having put the question. 
It seems she has often asked permission to come but there 
is no time for visiting. ^ Something is sure to turn up to 
keep me busy the very time I thought I could go ’ she 
explained. I do not think she is happy at the Prestons.” 

‘^Mrs. Preston appears to be of a very plastic disposi- 
tion, incapable of acting for herself, while, in my opinion, 
Claudia is very hard for a young girl.” 

“ She impressed me in the same way and yet there 
was a time. Will, when I thought you rather — admired 
her.” 

The young man gave his mother a frank smiling 
glance. 

Well, mother dear, I did admire Miss Preston with- 
out attaching any serious thought to the matter, until the 
night before our picnic when I persuaded her to let Car- 
lotta attend, then I detected under her seeming gaiety 
a harshness which I did not think was downright cruelty, 
until her persecution of that friendless child brought it 
out. One could excuse hardness in a woman who has 


A Chat about Lottie 


69 


lived long and suffered much, but in a young person like 
Claudia Preston who has a good home and enjoys every 
advantage an indulgent mother can give, it shows a char- 
acter in itself repellent.” 

After that lecture, William, I see that you do not 
admire Miss Claudia. One does not dissect where one 
loves.” 

Love^ that is another thing, mother. I shall fall 
in love only when I meet a girl as sweet and sensible 
as the one my father loved.” 

‘‘ Flatterer, I guess that is a bribe for some of that 
cake I baked to-day.” 

I can never hope to find your equal in the art of 
fashioning delicious things out of flour, sugar, eggs, etc. 
But that cake did look uncommonly good, mother ! ” 

Mrs. Rockwood smiled and put away her knitting, 
then bustled out to the pantry from which she soon re- 
turned with a tray laden with freshly baked cake, and 
shining rosy apples. 

As she placed it on the table a gust of wind banged 
an unsecured shutter against the wall, and pressed rudely 
against windows and doors trying to find its way in. The 
trees soughed mournfully, shivering and bending their 
leafless branches before its cruel power. 

Mother and son, securely housed against the wintry 
blasts, drew their chairs more closely to the fire, and 
enjoyed the good things provided. 


70 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


‘‘ What bitter weather ! I cannot help thinking of 
that child ! I really did not think she was sufficiently clad 
to-day. She wore a scanty waterproof cape and her arms 
were too full of bundles to allow her hands to be tucked 
under. I only wish I could furnish her with a warm wrap, 
comfortable gloves, and a hood, but I know the Prestons 
would not allow it,” the speaker sighed and continued. 
But perhaps something may turn up to improve her posi- 
tion we know that the Lord will provide.” 

“It may not be my way, 

It may not be thy way ; 

But just in his own way 
The Lord will provide,” 

quoted the young man resuming the perusal of his paper. 

Suddenly, he gave a startled exclamation. ‘^Mother 
listen to this,” he cried, “ is it a coincidence or would 
you call it an interposition of Providence.^” Then he 
read impressively: — 

“WANTED. — Information of Carlotta Lake, nine 

years of age, taken from Children’s Home in B 

last April. Records of the Home destroyed by fire. 

Address, Wright and Biller, Attorneys, B 

Will, that is our Carlotta! Write at once, it 
may be some good news for her!” 

“Well, mother, I trust so, at any rate it will not do 
any harm to write and inquire.” 


A Chat about Lottie 


71 


It will not be necessary to say anything about it 
until we hear something definite.’’ 

No, it would be sad to raise false hopes in the 
child’s mind.” 

I wonder if anyone else in town will notice that 
advertisement.” 

Probably not, I think I get the only copy sent 

here from B . I’ll get paper and ink and write at 

once in order to satisfy the ‘Little Woman’s’ curiosity P 
“And the ^ Big Son’s’ proper spirit of inquiry of 
course,” returned the lady sarcastically. 

The letter was written that night and taken to the 
post-office before school hours the next morning. The 
days passed slowly while they waited impatiently but 
hopefully for a reply. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

Good News 

ow the snow came clown in large flakes like 
white winged birds, alighting on the trees to 
cover their bare branches and round out their 
gaunt outlines, hiding the bushes away until 
they resembled small round hills, drifting 
into hollows, covering the walks, shutting 
from view like a great thick veil all the land- 
scape outside one’s immediate vicinity. 

Lottie stood beside the window in her little attic room 
watching the snowstorm. Occasionally she put her pur- 
ple fingers to her mouth to breathe on and warm them, 
for the cold was intense in that part of the house, there 
being no fireplace, consequently Lottie spent the least 
time there possible. At night, with chattering teeth, she 
would hasten to undress and get in under covers, where 
she lay shivering for a long time ere she felt warmed 
up. When the wind blew fierce it found its way through 
the rickety window and blew on her head until she was 
compelled to draw the covers all up around it, her mop 
ot curls not afibrding sufficient protection against Jack 
Frost’s invasion. 

(72) 



Good News 


73 


On one extremely bitter night, Mrs. Preston had 
suggested that Lottie be allowed to sleep on the sitting- 
room lounge, but Claudia had given her veto. 

It would keep the room littered up, besides children 
don’t feel the cold like grown-up people,” she said, sitting 
before a grate fire in her own comfortable room, with her 
feet on the fender, and her shoulders enveloped in a 
warm dressing sacque of crimson eider-down. 

Therefore Lottie continued in her frosty quarters, 
where, early in the mornings, she heard the cheery chirp- 
ing of her little neighbors, the sparrows, who kept her 
company under the roof. 

On this particular afternoon she had come, after the 
downstairs work was done, to make her bed and ‘‘tidy 
up” her cheerless little room, this task completed she 
stood by the window fascinated by the scene without. 

“ Isn’t it lovely ! I wonder if the girls are watching 
it ! But the poor Little Woman ! She will be all snowed 
in,” she thought, “And Mr. Rockwood’s ‘Little Woman’ 
too ! I wish I could go to see her ! ” 

That was the way she designated Mrs. Rockwood 
in her thoughts, and that lady, all unknown to herself, 
was a formidable rival of the original Little Woman who 
lived in the spout. 

The short time spent at the Rockwoods’ home was 
a green spot in Lottie’s memory to which she often re- 
curred. She had promised on bidding them good-bye 


74 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


to go and see them often — quite often — if she could, 
and she felt so happy when the brooch was recovered 
that all things seemed possible to her childish outlook, 
she was so sure of being permitted to go back to see 
her friends, but, during the long, long time since then, she 
had not been able to visit them even once. 

It is not surprising then, that while Lottie stood 
watching at her window, the outside view faded away 
gradually, until the wintry scene gave place to a sum- 
mer one — a porch almost hid by roses where two 
people, a woman and a child, sat in the warm twi- 
light, and a young man coming up the myrtle-bordered 
path exclaimed ruefully that his nose was out of 
joint ! 

A faint tinkle recalled Lottie from her dreaming to 
the present world of door bells, and she hurried to an- 
swer its summons. She opened the door to admit a 
lady who wore a small black bonnet, and an ample fur- 
trimmed cloak. 

“ Why, Mrs. Rockwood ! ” cried the little maid in 
pleased excitement. Come in, you are all covered with 
snow ! ” 

‘‘That don’t matter, dear, it will brush olf. No 
doubt I look like Grandma Santa Claus. And how are 
you, Carlotta ” said the lady. They went hand in hand 
into the parlor. Lottie drew an easy chair to the fire 
for the visitor. 


Good News 


75 


‘^You are nearly frozen yourself, child, how cold 
your hands are, and sore ! ’’ 

Chaps ! ” answered Lottie, ^^they don’t hurt much 
’cept when I put them into the water. But I must go 
and tell Mrs. Preston you are here.” 

‘‘ My visit concerns you too, Lottie, 3^ou will hear 
all about it later. Pll have a talk first with Mrs. Pres- 
ton,” returned the lady. 

Lottie darted off wondering what it could be that 
concerned her, something good, no doubt, for Mrs. Rock- 
wood looked very much pleased. 

She encountered Miss Preston on the stairway. The 
latter muttered something about the “ New fashion when 
servants entertained their mistresses’ callers,” ending with, 
Go and tell mamma to come down.” 

Claudia swished past Lottie and into the parlor where 
she greeted the caller in the blandest of tones. 

Mrs. Preston had just awakened from her nap. It 
took her several minutes to arrange her hair and make 
herself presentable. Her glasses were not to be found 
so Lottie remained to hunt for them while the lady 
bustled from the room. 

Lottie finding the spectacles in a short 'time hurried 
with them after their owner. When she reached the 
head of the stairs she observed Claudia coming out of 
the parlor, and, closing the door after her, intercept her 
mother to whisper loudly in her ears : It’s something 


76 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


about Lottie. I guess she wants to get her away just 
when she’s beginning to be of a little use, but don’t give 
in to her ! ” Then espying the little girl, who had heard 
every word, she cried, ‘‘Go down stairs and stay until 
you are wanted!” 

The two ladies entered the parlor, and Lottie went 
to the kitchen as she was bid. She sat by the stove 
enjoying the genial glow of the fire, wondering what it 
all meant. What did Miss Preston mean by those words 
to her mother, how did Mrs. Rockwood’s visit concern 
her — Lottie ? 

The hands of the clock moved from three o’clock 
to half past three, while Lottie watched it vaguely excited 
and expectant. 

At length Claudia came running down the stairs. 
Lottie arose expecting to be scolded for her idleness, 
instead of which, Claudia, who looked very much excited, 
said in a kindly tone : “ Come with me, Lottie, we have 
good news for you.” 

Entering the parlor they found the two elderly ladies 
talking earnestly. 

“Come here, Lottie,” Mrs. Preston said, “Do you 
remember ever hearing your mamma speak of your Uncle 
Joe?” 

“Uncle Joe Lake, yes often, he went out west a long 
time ago,” returned the wondering Lottie. 

“ Did 3^our mamma ever hear from him ? ” 


Good News 


77 


Mamma said he wrote to papa once, and papa 
wrote back, but we never got any more letters ; then 
mamma wrote again when papa died to tell him about 
it.” 

^‘Well, little girl,” said Mrs. Rockwood, ^Mt seems 
your Uncle Joe never received any letter but the one 
your mamma wrote telling him of your papa’s death, 
and that one reached him only after several months’ 
delay. He was then very ill, but had his lawyer write 
to your mamma. He also made a will leaving all he 
possessed to her in trust for you.” 

Lottie had drawn close to the speaker ; leaning on 
the arm of the big chair she listened with wide open 
eyes, hardly understanding anything but the fact of her 
uncle’s illness. 

^^Did Uncle Joe get well?” she half whispered. 

‘^No, dear, sad to say he died, and the lawyer has 
ever since been seeking you. He traced you at last to 

the Children’s Home in B ; but a change had been 

made in the management, the old nurses and teachers 
were gone, and all the records were destroyed by fire. 
Advertising was then resorted to. My son by accident 
saw one a few nights ago. He wrote to the firm and 
received an answer this morning.” 

“ I think he might have consulted mamma first, see- 
ing that she has charge of Lottie,” murmured Claudia, 
plaintively. 

L.ofC. 


78 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


‘‘As I explained before, Miss Preston, he thought 
it useless to say anything until he learned something 
definite, it might have raised false hopes and occasioned 
delay ; but when he heard from Mr. Biller to-day he 
requested me to come and see you at once.” 

“ Did the lawyer say how much Mr. Lake left ? ” 
inquired Mrs. Preston. 

“ Not exactly but he gives the impression that it is 
a considerable fortune.” 

“ Is it for me ? ” asked Lottie in amazement. 

“Yes, Carlotta, you will be a very wealthy little girl.” 

“ Can I go to school and learn to play on the piano ? ” 

“Certainly,” returned Claudia, “ as for going to school 
you have that advantage already, and you may have my 
piano to practice on.” 

Lottie gazed at the speaker, and then at the open 
piano, whose cool ivory keys she had never been allowed 
to press ; to actually practice on that piano seemed more 
wonderful than all else she had just heard. Presently 
Mrs. Rockwood arose to take leave. 

“Mr. Biller will be here in a couple of days to see 
Lottie and to examine the papers you received from the 
Home,” she said addressing Mrs. Preston, “Nothing will 
remain then to be done except to make arrangements for 
Carlotta’s future and have her make choice of a guardian.” 

“Mamma’s half-brother. Uncle Reginald, will do 
splendidly for a guardian, and of course Lottie will con- 


good News 


79 


tinue to make her home with us/’ said Miss Preston, 
convincingly, ‘‘ Why I declare it is still snowing, good 
day, Mrs. Rock wood.” 

Good day, good-bye Carlotta,” returned the visitor. 
On her way home Mrs. Rockwood was amused at the 
dexterous manner in which Miss Preston stood in Lottie’s 
way, whichever direction she turned, to prevent her get- 
ting a chance to say any good-bye words at a close range. 
As the lady turned from the gate she heard the child’s 
far-away tones saying, Good-bye, Mrs. Rockwood, good- 
bye.” 


CHAPTER IX. 


Happy Days 

N THE time that intervened before the lawyer’s 
arrival Lottie heard many praises of ‘‘Uncle 
Reginald” — his love for children, his kind- 
ness and other good qualities. She had never 
before heard Miss Preston praise anyone so 
warmly, it was the more curious because 
previously that lady always curled her lip and 
called him an “old fogy” whenever her mother re- 
ferred to him. 

“You will do well for yourself by choosing my 
brother, Mr. Green, for your guardian,” Mrs. Preston 
said impressively ere Lottie was sent in to meet Mr. 
Biller. When the question finally came up Mrs. Pres- 
ton and her daughter sounded Mr. Green’s praises ; the 
little girl was too bewildered to say anything, her silence 
seemed to acquiesce, and the lawyer concluded that Uncle 
Reginald was favorably known to her. 

“ I have not the honor of the gentleman’s acquaint- 
ance,” he said, “but I’ve no doubt it will be an admi- 
rable arrangement, as for me I could not think of anyone 

( 80 ) 




•'.4 ^ •. .-5 4 , 





“Can I Choose Anyone I Want?” 






Happt Days 


81 


except Mr. Rockwood, he is much interested in my 
small client’s welfare but ” 

Here Lottie gave a wondering gasp. Can I choose 
anyone I want ? ” she said anxiously. 

“ Certainly, I thought you knew that,” returned the 
gentleman, surprised. 

^^No sir, I didn’t know — then I’d just love to have 
Mr. Rockwood for my guardian,” she cried. The law- 
yer smiled at her earnestness. . “ So be it,” he returned. 
‘‘ As for your future residence, Mrs. Preston and her 
amiable daughter, are anxious to keep you, and, as you 
are so nicely situated here, perhaps 3^011 may wish to re- 
main with them or if not, my partner, Mr. Wright, has a 

pleasant home and a nice family in B , they will be 

pleased to have you, then there is your guardian’s home.” 

Could I stay there ? ” asked Lottie. 

‘^Yes, little girl.” 

Claudia started up exclaiming, What is the use of 
all this talk. Of course it is understood that Lottie will 
remain in mamma’s charge!” 

She can make her choice though. It is my duty 
to acquaint her with the several places that are open to 
her 1 ” 

It is absurd to allow a mere child to settle that 
question,” stormed Miss Preston. 

The lawyer looked at Lottie inquiringly, Well, have 
you decided ? ” 


6 


82 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


‘‘ Oh yes, I would like to live with the ^ Little 
Woman,”’ returned Lottie quickly, feeling somewhat like 
Mrs. Preston felt on the few occasions when she braved 
her daughter’s wrath. 

^ Little Woman,’” said Mr. Biller mystified. 

Lottie corrected herself with a blush. “ I mean at 
Mrs. Rockwood’s,” she said. 

“Such ingratitude,” cried Miss Preston, “after 
mamma has been so kind, so foolishly indulgent, as I 
have often told her ! ” 

“Children sometimes fancy new places,” began the 
lawyer conciliatingly, and then as the young lady flounced 
from the room, he thought to himself that she was not so 
sweet-tempered and amiable as she had at first appeared. 

Claudia was very angry. Her visions of having her 
own room and the parlor newly furnished, of several new 
costumes, and a long-desired visit to a fashionable seaside 
resort were rudely shattered by the little bound girl she 
had despised. She had anticipated handling the money 
for Lottie’s board and maintenance — the lawyer had 
named a liberal amount — but all was useless now, that 
“ ungrateful minx ” had chosen otherwise. 

“It is all your own fault, Claudia,” her mother said, 
‘H am not surprised at Lottie’s choice. It might have 
been different though — she was disposed to like you very 
much at first — it is easy to gain a child’s love — but you 
were hateful to her always.” 


Happt Dats 


83 


Miss Preston could not deny the charge, which fact 
did not tend to brighten the case. Her harshness and 
ill temper had brought a sorry harvest, but she still talked 
of the ingratitude and meddling of others. 

* * * * -X- -JS- ^5- 

In due time everything was settled. Lottie went to 
live at the Rockwoods where she received the cordial 
welcome they would have given her in her poverty. 
The blue room was now her ver}^ own and a new piano 
soon found its way into the sitting-room. She attended 
school regularly, and the girls who used to turn up their 
noses at the idea of playing with a bound girl” were 
eager to have her for a companion in her altered con- 
dition. 

Needless to say, her dearest playmates were still 
Maude and Edie, who had proven themselves friends 
indeed, in the olden times. 

At Lottie’s request Mrs. Rockwood arranged for the 
two girls to share Lottie’s .music and drawing lessons ; 
she argued that since they had shared their books with 
her it was only fair that she should share her good fortune 
with them. Her guardian saw no objection. 

^^When Carlotta becomes her own mistress she can 
have no cause to regret a good action done, while she 
would probably think sorrowfully of the good she was 
prevented from doing.” 


84 


The Little Woman in the Spout 


So it was arranged to everybody’s delight, Mrs. Rock- 
wood how’ever declared that she drew the line at hearing 
the scales for six hours daily, so Maude and Edie practiced 
at their teacher’s home. 

They held a love feast at the Little Woman’s house 
one day in the following spring, when the gutter was 
bright, and clean, and bordered with green, sprouting 
grass and plants. 

With no fear of the gate opening to recall one of 
their number — in fact their old aversion. Miss ^‘Claudy,” 
treated them with cold hauteur when they met — they 
decked their hair with ivy wreaths, and played to their 
hearts’ content. And there at the place of their first 
meeting, the three girls pledged eternal friendship not 
forgetting to include the Little Woman, for, as they 
often said : — 

“ It was all happily brought about 
By the dear Little Woman in the Spout.” 


The End. 


JUL 10 



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JOL. 10 (90J 


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